We decided to give this kitten a chance...

He was very pale and diagnostic tests were put on the back burner until immediate emergency treatments could be administered and we would see how he did.

Our priorities:

Get his body temperature up SLOWLY - if you do this too quickly you can actually cause more damage.

         We put him on a circulating warm water blanket and adminstered several warm water enemas.

Get him fluid support to treat shock and low blood sugar!

         Due to his size and condition Dr. Altena elected to put in an intraosseus catheter.  This catheter goes directly into the bone marrow and through it we can give fluids and medications just like an IV catheter.  Warmed fluids were started immediately after getting the catheter in.

Fleas - this is generally NOT a priority, however, for this kitten who we suspected was already anemic from the fleas, could not afford to lose any more blood volume.  Frontline Plus Spray was applied and he was flea free within 2 hours.  There is always some risk involved with using flea products in a sick pet, especially less than 8 weeks of age, however, if we have to use something, Merial's Frontline Plus is the best.

MONITOR      MONITOR      MONITOR...

Now it is time for his little body to take the help we are giving and see what he can do.

We set up a hospital treatment plan for monitoring heart rate, respiratory rate, gum color, neurologic status every 15 minutes.  Checking temperature every 1/2 hour intitially; then every hour.  Turning him every hour and talking to him and petting him.  Encouraging him to fight for his life!

By 6:20 pm his heart rate and respiratory rate were much improved.  His temperature still wouldn't register on the thermometer but he was starting to move around and even held his head up a little!

At 6:30 he seemed alert enough to try a little soft food (Hill's Prescription a/d).  This food is the consistency of baby food and very calorie dense.  It is a great food for dogs and cats in dire need of energy, protein and calories.  Mendi decided to offer a little a/d off her finger to see if he could lick it off...

She's lucky she still has her finger!!!  Forrest, as he was later named, never looked back.  By the next day after a night of fluids, warming, and TLC with our overnight assistant he was eating, drinking and using the litter box. 

We made sure to test him for Feline Leukemia & Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, deworm him, check his kidney function, liver function and red and white blood cell counts, neuter him and best of all - found him a wonderful new family!  He brings a smile to our faces every time he comes in. 

See Him Then & Now!